Thin refrigeration air conditioner having a greater temperature difference

ABSTRACT

A thin refrigeration air conditioner has a casing which houses a thin heat exchanger, an air intake chamber, an air exit chamber, a side chamber and an air port baffle. The thin heat exchanger in cooperative with the air port baffle or a return air branch port can control airflow to maintain a high temperature difference and low flow rate operation while the air and refrigerant flow through the thin heat exchanger to perform heat exchange process. Return airflow and airflow delivery can be maintained in an optimal temperature difference condition according to energy requirement of the air conditioning zone. Thus it can provide a most comfortable condition and also save energy. It also takes less installation space and improves airflow distribution.

BACKGROUND OF THE INPORTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a thin refrigeration air conditioner having a greater temperature difference and particularly to a thin refrigeration air conditioner that provides a comfortable and energy saving effect, does not occupy a lot of installation space, improves airflow distribution and delivers air at an optimal temperature difference.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A conventional refrigeration air conditioner 1 (referring to FIG. 1) includes a heat exchanger 11 and an air fan motor 12 (to provide air conditioning (abbreviated A/C hereinafter) for an A/C room A0. Such a construction has problems in use, notably:

-   -   1. The longitudinal piping length D1 of the heat exchange 11 is         relatively short. Hence the path length of air passing through         the piping assembly 111 and heat exchange is short. Air         temperature difference before and after the heat exchange is         low. Heat exchange efficiency is not desirable. When A/C         requirement increases, airflow has to be increased to speed up         supply of cooling energy (or heat energy). Hence the heat         exchange process is a high speed flow and low temperature         difference condition. This results in waste of energy.     -   2. In the conventional heat exchanger 11, in order to provide         sufficient cooling energy (or heat energy), the piping assembly         111 needs a greater cross section to increase the contact area         between the passing air and the piping assembly 111. Hence the         height H1 of the piping has to be increased. It is often greater         than the longitudinal length D1. Consequently, the height of the         refrigeration air conditioner 1 also is greater. During         installation, it occupies at least 30-50 cm of elevation space.         And the elevation of the ceiling B0 located thereunder also has         to be moved lower. As the height of one story in a general         building usually is between 285-300 cm, the lower ceiling         generates a depressive feeling in the resident space. To prevent         the ceiling B0 from locating too low, installation of the         refrigeration air conditioner 1 has a lot of constraints.         Moreover, when the conventional refrigeration air conditioner is         used for refrigeration or freezers, due to its excessive height,         the storage space is reduced. Hence how to provide a thinner         refrigeration air conditioner is an issue pending to be resolved         in the industry.

SUMMARY OF THE INPORTION

In view of the aforesaid disadvantages, the present invention aims to provide a thin refrigeration air conditioner with a greater temperature difference to create a comfortable environment and also save energy. It includes a casing to house a thin heat exchanger, an air intake chamber, an air exit chamber, a side chamber and an air port baffle. The thin heat exchanger in associated with the air port baffle can control airflow amount to maintain a high temperature difference and low flow rate operation while the air and refrigerant flow through the thin heat exchanger to perform heat exchange process. Return airflow and airflow delivery can be maintained in a condition of an optimal temperature difference according to energy requirement of the A/C zone. Thus it can provide most comfortable condition and also save energy. It also takes less installation space and improves airflow distribution.

The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional refrigeration air conditioner system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the refrigeration air conditioner system of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a plane view of the thin heat exchanger of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the thin heat exchanger of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a third embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a fourth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic control block diagram of the air port baffle of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 for a first embodiment of the invention. The thin refrigeration air conditioner 2 has an air fan motor 3 on one side (a front side or rear side). Air passes through the thin refrigeration air conditioner 2 to perform heat exchange, then is discharged through one or more air outlet B11 located on a ceiling B into an A/C room A to meet A/C requirement. The thin refrigeration air conditioner 2 includes a casing 20 which houses a thin heat exchanger 21, an air intake chamber 22, an air exit chamber 23, a side chamber 24 and an air port baffle 25.

The thin heat exchanger 21 contains a piping assembly 211 which has a refrigerant input end 2111 and a refrigerant output end 2112. The piping height H of the thin heat exchanger 21 is much smaller than the longitudinal length D of the piping, thus is a thin structure (referring to FIGS. 2 and 4). It further has a water collection tray 26 and a water discharge tube 27 on a rear end of the bottom thereof.

The air intake chamber 22 is close to an air intake side 212 of the thin heat exchanger 21 and communicates with the thin heat exchanger 21. It has an air inlet 221 on one side.

The air exit chamber 23 is close to an air exit side 213 of the thin heat exchanger 21 and communicates with the thin heat exchanger 21. It has an air outlet 231 on one side.

The side chamber 24 is close to the bottom of the thin heat exchanger 21.

The air port baffle 25 is located in the air intake chamber 22 and controlled by a controller 8 (referring to FIG. 9) to open at a desired degree. Thereby the amount of first time air flowing out from the thin heat exchanger 21 and second time air entering the side chamber 24 can be controlled (the first time air means the air which has been gone through heat exchange through the thin heat exchanger 21; the second time air means all the air that are not gone through the heat exchange of the thin heat exchanger 21).

By means of the construction set forth above, air enters from the air inlet 221 to the air intake chamber 22, and passes through the piping assembly 211 of the thin heat exchanger 21. As the piping of the thin heat exchanger 21 has a greater longitudinal length D, the path and heat exchange surface of the air passing through the piping assembly 211 increase, and heat exchange effect improves. Namely, air temperature difference before and after the heat exchange is greater. Hence the temperature difference of the refrigerant before entering and after leaving the thin heat exchanger 21 also is greater. This generates a high temperature difference and low flow rate effect and can save energy. After the first time air that has gone through the heat exchange entered the air exit chamber 23, the air fan motor 3 at the front end discharges the air through the air outlet B11 to the A/C room A to meet A/C requirements. The temperatures of the discharged air and the return air on an air return port B12 are maintained at a low temperature and low flow rate condition to achieve a comfortable A/C quality and also save energy.

The air port baffle 25 is located in the air intake chamber 22 to control the air amount ratio of the first time air after heat exchange and the second time air. Its operation is controlled by a controller 8 which regulates the opening degree of the air port baffle 25 according to the energy requirement (cooling or heat energy) of the A/C room A.

The water collection tray 26 aims to collect condensed water generated by the thin heat exchanger 21 during the heat exchange process. The collected condensed water is discharged through the water discharge tube 27.

Refer to FIG. 5 for a second embodiment of the invention. The refrigeration air conditioner 4 has an air fan motor 3 on one side. The refrigeration air conditioner 4 includes a casing 40 which houses a thin heat exchanger 41, an air intake chamber 42, an air exit chamber 43, a side chamber 44 and an air port baffle 45. It differs from the first embodiment in that the air port baffle 45 is located on one side of the side chamber 44 and controlled by the controller 8 (referring to FIG. 9). The air port baffle 45 opens at a desired degree to control the amount of the first time air flowing out from the thin heat exchanger 41 and the second time air entering the side chamber 44. In this embodiment, the air exit chamber 43 further has a humidifier 46 with the required water supplied by a water collection tray 461 (or an external water supply). This embodiment is suitable in environments of low humidity, A/C, or freezer where adding moisture is needed.

Refer to FIG. 6 for a third embodiment of the invention. The refrigeration air conditioner 5 has an air fan motor 3 on one side. The refrigeration air conditioner 5 includes a casing 50 which houses a thin heat exchanger 51, an air intake chamber 52, an air exit chamber 53, a side chamber 54 and an air port baffle 55. The side chamber 54 further has a return air branch port 56 on the bottom. And the air intake chamber 52 and the side chamber 54 are divided by a spacer 57 without communicating with each other. The air port baffle 55 is located in the side chamber 54 and controlled by the controller 8 (referring to FIG. 9). The air port baffle 45 opens at a desired degree to control the amount of the second time air flowing through the return air branch port 56. After the second time air has entered the air exit chamber 53 and mixed up with the first time air, the temperature difference between the delivered A/C air and the return air from the return air branch port 56 is maintained at a minimum range. This is a low temperature difference air delivery approach. Such a design can reduce energy consumption and also maintain a comfortable A/C condition.

Refer to FIG. 7 for a fourth embodiment of the invention. The refrigeration air conditioner 6 has an air fan motor 3 on one side. The refrigeration air conditioner 6 includes a casing 60 which houses a thin heat exchanger 61, an air intake chamber 62, an air exit chamber 63, a side chamber 64 and an air port baffle 65. The side chamber 64 further has a return air branch port 66 on the bottom. And the air intake chamber 62 and the side chamber 64 are divided by a spacer 67 without communicating with each other. The air port baffle 65 is located in the air exit chamber 63 and controlled by the controller 8 (referring to FIG. 9). The air port baffle 65 opens at a desired degree to control the amount of the first time air flowing out from the thin heat exchanger 61 and the second time air entering the side chamber 64.

Refer to FIG. 8 for a fifth embodiment of the invention. The refrigeration air conditioner 7 has an air fan motor 3 on one side. The refrigeration air conditioner 7 includes a casing 70 which houses a thin heat exchanger 71, an air intake chamber 72, an air exit chamber 73 and an air port baffle 75. The air exit chamber 73 further has a return air branch port 76. The air port baffle 75 is located in the air exit chamber 73 and controlled by the controller 8 (referring to FIG. 9). The air port baffle 75 opens at a desired degree to control the amount of the first time air flowing out from the thin heat exchanger 71 and the second time air passing through the return air branch port 76.

In summary, through the thin heat exchanger of the invention the first time air of a high temperature difference and high heat exchange efficiency can be obtained. And by mixing with the second time air through the control of the return air branch port, the air delivered to the A/C room is most comfortable at a low temperature difference and low flow rate condition, and energy saving effect can also be achieved. Because of the thin heat exchanger, the height of the refrigeration air conditioner can be reduced to make installation easier. The air port baffle can be adjusted at a desired location according to use requirements to improve airflow distribution. 

1. A thin refrigeration air conditioner having a greater temperature difference comprising an air fan motor on one side and a casing which includes: a thin heat exchanger containing a piping assembly which has a piping height much smaller than the longitudinal length thereof to form a thin structure; an air intake chamber which is close to an air intake side of the thin heat exchanger and communicates with the thin heat exchanger and has an air inlet on one side; an air exit chamber which is close to an air exit side of the thin heat exchanger and communicates with the thin heat exchanger and has an air outlet on one side thereof and a return air branch port; and an air port baffle which is located in the air exit chamber and controlled by a controller to open a desired degree to control the amount of a first time air and a second time air.
 2. The thin refrigeration air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the thin heat exchanger has a refrigerant input end and a refrigerant output end.
 3. The thin refrigeration air conditioner of claim 1, wherein the thin heat exchanger has a water collection tray and a water discharge tube on a rear end of the bottom thereof.
 4. A thin refrigeration air conditioner having a greater temperature difference comprising an air fan motor on one side and a casing which includes: a thin heat exchanger containing a piping assembly which has a piping height much smaller than the longitudinal length thereof to form a thin structure; an air intake chamber which is close to an air intake side of the thin heat exchanger and communicates with the thin heat exchanger and has an air inlet on one side; an air exit chamber which is close to an air exit side of the thin heat exchanger and communicates with the thin heat exchanger and has an air outlet on one side thereof; a side chamber close to the bottom of the thin heat exchanger; and an air port baffle which is located in the air intake chamber and controlled by a controller to open a desired degree to control the amount of a first time air flowing out from the thin heat exchanger and a second time air entering the side chamber.
 5. The thin refrigeration air conditioner of claim 4, wherein the thin heat exchanger has a refrigerant input end and a refrigerant output end.
 6. The thin refrigeration air conditioner of claim 4, wherein the thin heat exchanger has a water collection tray and a water discharge tube on a rear end of the bottom thereof.
 7. A thin refrigeration air conditioner having a greater temperature difference comprising an air fan motor on one side and a casing which includes: a thin heat exchanger containing a piping assembly which has a piping height much smaller than the longitudinal length thereof to form a thin structure; an air intake chamber which is close to an air intake side of the thin heat exchanger and communicates with the thin heat exchanger and has an air inlet on one side; an air exit chamber which is close to an air exit side of the thin heat exchanger and communicates with the thin heat exchanger and has an air outlet on one side thereof; a side chamber close to the bottom of the thin heat exchanger; and an air port baffle which is located on one side of the side chamber and controlled by a controller to open a desired degree to control the amount of a first time air flowing out from the thin heat exchanger and a second time air entering the side chamber.
 8. The thin refrigeration air conditioner of claim 7, wherein the thin heat exchanger has a refrigerant input end and a refrigerant output end.
 9. The thin refrigeration air conditioner of claim 7, wherein the thin heat exchanger has a water collection tray and a water discharge tube on a rear end of the bottom thereof.
 10. A thin refrigeration air conditioner having a greater temperature difference comprising an air fan motor on one side and a casing which includes: a thin heat exchanger containing a piping assembly which has a piping height much smaller than the longitudinal length thereof to form a thin structure; an air intake chamber which is close to an air intake side of the thin heat exchanger and communicates with the thin heat exchanger and has an air inlet on one side; an air exit chamber which is close to an air exit side of the thin heat exchanger and communicates with the thin heat exchanger and has an air outlet on one side thereof; a side chamber which is close to the bottom of the thin heat exchanger and has a return air branch port; and an air port baffle which is located in the side chamber and controlled by a controller to open a desired degree to control the amount of a second time air passing through the return air branch port.
 11. The thin refrigeration air conditioner of claim 10, wherein the thin heat exchanger has a refrigerant input end and a refrigerant output end.
 12. The thin refrigeration air conditioner of claim 10, wherein the thin heat exchanger has a water collection tray and a water discharge tube on a rear end of the bottom thereof.
 13. The thin refrigeration air conditioner of claim 10, wherein the air intake chamber and the side chamber are divided by a spacer without communicating with each other.
 14. A thin refrigeration air conditioner having a greater temperature difference comprising an air fan motor on one side and a casing which includes: a thin heat exchanger containing a piping assembly which has a piping height much smaller than the longitudinal length thereof to form a thin structure; an air intake chamber which is close to an air intake side of the thin heat exchanger and communicates with the thin heat exchanger and has an air inlet on one side; an air exit chamber which is close to an air exit side of the thin heat exchanger and communicates with the thin heat exchanger and has an air outlet on one side thereof; a side chamber which is close to the bottom of the thin heat exchanger and has a return air branch port; and an air port baffle which is located in the air exit chamber and controlled by a controller to open a desired degree to control the amount of a first time air flowing out from the thin heat exchanger and a second time air entering the side chamber.
 15. The thin refrigeration air conditioner of claim 14, wherein the thin heat exchanger has a refrigerant input end and a refrigerant output end.
 16. The thin refrigeration air conditioner of claim 14, wherein the thin heat exchanger has a water collection tray and a water discharge tube on a rear end of the bottom thereof. 